Dr. Brownstein on Zika Virus: No Panic Needed

I was waiting to comment on the Zika virus until more information comes to light, but I have decided to throw my two cents in. As most of you know, in Brazil, there is an epidemic of microcephaly—infants being born with tiny heads and many health problems associated with it. An astute doctor in Brazil first recognized the connection between microcephaly and the Zika virus. However, it is far from proven that the Zika virus is causing microcephaly. I do not think Zika is causing the epidemic of microcephaly in Brazil. The reason I do not think Zika is causing this epidemic is that Zika has been around for a long time—why has microcephaly suddenly become an epidemic in Brazil? Let’s hope that the CDC doesn’t pour all its energy into making a vaccine against Zika until it is proven to be the cause of this epidemic.